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NHTSA Proposing Driver Mode for Truckers to Prevent Truck Crashes

Driver distraction is one of the top causes of truck crashes in America. Truck drivers have a heightened responsibility to drive with care because of the size and power of the vehicles that they are operating, and when they are texting, reading content on their phones, or punching in an address on a GPS they put other drivers at risk. In an attempt to cut down on this serious issue, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing new guidelines for truck drivers, with one notably asking cell phone manufacturers to create a special mode that would disrupt a phone’s ability to fully operate when a truck is in motion. They are also proposing technology called pairing that would link an in-truck system to the driver’s phone, preventing the phone from operating except for emergency notifications.

The “driver mode” that the NTSB is recommending would essentially block truck drivers’ phones from being able to do most of the functions that are responsible for distraction and taking their eyes off of the road. The blocked functions would include manual texting, displaying any kind of video or photos other than maps, displaying text, and all books, periodicals, social media and similar sites or content.

According to NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind, “NHTSA has long encouraged drivers to put down their phones and other devices and just drive. With driver distraction one of the factors behind the rise of traffic fatalities, we are committed to working with the industry to ensure that mobile devices are designed to keep drivers’ eyes where they belong – on the road.” The guidelines would be voluntary, and have been issued with the hopes that they will spur manufacturers to come up with the technology that would provide greater safety and less distraction while the vehicle is operating but still allow the devices to operate and be fully functional when they are not on the road.